Revelation 3

1 “Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Sardis [city]: ‘I am saying these things [to you. I am] the one who can give [to people] all the power of God’s Spirit (OR, in whom is the Spirit of God who has all kinds of power; OR, [who has God’s Spirit, who is symbolized as] seven spirits), and [I am the one] who has the seven stars. I know everything that you have done. You [(pl)] appear to be alive [spiritually], but [you are so weak spiritually it is as though] you are dead [MET].

Dem Engel der Gemeinde in Sardes schreibe: / So spricht, der die sieben Geister Gottes hat und die sieben Sterne: / 'Ich kenne deine Werke: du lebst nur dem Namen nach; in Wirklichkeit bist du tot!

2 [Become aware of your spiritual need as though you were] awaking [from sleep] [MET], and strengthen [yourself spiritually, because you are so useless that you are like someone who is] about to die [MET]. [You must do this] because I know that my God considers that nothing that you do is satisfactory.

Werde wach und stärke das, was noch da ist, und was auch schon dem Tod nahe war! Denn ich habe deine Werke nicht völlig erfunden vor meinem Gott.

3 So then, keep remembering [God’s message, what] you accepted when you heard it. Obey it continually, and turn away from your sinful behavior. If [you do not become aware of your spiritual need and turn away from your] [MET] [sinful behavior], I will come to you [when you are not expecting me], as a thief [comes] [SIM]. You will never know at what time I will come to [judge] you.

Denke daran, mit welcher Lust du einst (das Wort) aufgenommen und gehört hast! Bewahre es und ändere deinen Sinn! Doch wachst du nicht, so will ich kommen wie ein Dieb, und du sollst nicht wissen, zu welcher Stunde ich über dich kommen werde.

4 Nevertheless, [there] in Sardis you have a few members who [have not been doing what is wrong. It is as though they] have not soiled their garments [MET]. As a result, because they are worthy [to live with me], they will live with me [and will be pure in every way] [MET], [like people who are dressed] in [pure] white [clothing].

Du hast indes noch einige Leute in Sardes, die ihre Kleider nicht befleckt haben: die sollen mit mir wandeln in weißen Kleidern, denn sie sind es wert.

5 Everyone who conquers [Satan] I will dress in these same white garments [MET] (OR, will be [pure in every way as though they are] dressed in these white garments), and I will never erase their names from the book [that contains the names of the people who have eternal] life. Instead, as my Father and his angels are listening, I will acknowledge that they [MTY] [belong to me].

Der Sieger soll mit weißen Kleidern geschmückt werden, und ich will seinen Namen nicht auslöschen aus dem Lebensbuch; sondern ich werde seinen Namen bekennen vor meinem Vater und vor seinen Engeln.

6 Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

Wer Ohren hat, der höre, was der Geist den Gemeinden sagt!'

7 “Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Philadelphia [city]: ‘I am saying these things [to you. I am] God’s Holy One, the True One. [Just like King] David had authority [MTY] [to allow people to enter the ancient city of Jerusalem, so I have the authority to allow people to enter] my kingdom. [I am] the one who opens [doors] so that no one can close them, and who closes doors so that no one can open them.

Dem Engel der Gemeinde in Philadelphia schreibe: / So spricht der Heilige, der Wahrhaftige, der den Schlüssel Davids hat, der öffnet, so daß niemand schließen kann, der schließt, so daß niemand öffnen darf;

8 I know everything you have done. Be aware that I have opened a door before you, a door that no one can close. [I know that although] there are not [many believers] (OR, much [spiritual] strength) [MTY] [in your congregation], you have obeyed what I say, and you have not denied [that you believe in] me [MTY].

'Ich kenne deine Werke! Sieh, ich habe dir eine Tür aufgetan, die niemand schließen kann. Denn du hast nur eine kleine Kraft; trotzdem hast du mein Wort festgehalten und meinen Namen nicht verleugnet.

9 [I am aware that] some of your people meet together with those who [follow/worship] Satan. They claim to be Jews, but I know that they are not true Jews. They are lying. I will cause them to come to you and to bow down [humbly] at your feet and to acknowledge that I love you.

Sieh, ich führe dir (Anhänger) zu aus Satans Versammlung, aus dem Kreis derer, die sich Juden nennen; doch sie sind es nicht, sie lügen! Sieh, ich will sie dahin bringen, daß sie kommen und sich zu deinen Füßen niederwerfen und erkennen, daß ich dich geliebt.

10 Because you have paid attention to the message to endure patiently [when you suffered], I will keep you [safe from those who will try to harm you spiritually] during the period/time that is about to come. At that time [God will cause rebellious people] on the earth to suffer, in order that I can determine [whether they will turn away from their sins or not].

Weil du das Wort, das zum geduldigen Warten auf mein Kommen mahnt, bewahrt hast, so will auch ich dich bewahren vor der Stunde der Versuchung, die über den ganzen Weltkreis kommen soll, um die Erdbewohner zu versuchen.

11 I am coming soon. [So] continue believe firmly the [message] that you have received, in order that no one may cause you to lose the reward [that God has reserved for] you.

Ich komme bald! Halte fest, was du hast, damit dir niemand deine Krone raube!

12 I will make everyone who conquers [Satan secure]. They will stand in the temple of my God, [they will stand firm like] [MET] pillars, and they will remain there forever. I will mark them with the name of my God, [showing that they belong to him. I will also mark them] with the name of the city of my God, [showing that they will live there. That city is] the New Jerusalem, the city that my God will cause to descend down from heaven. [I will also mark them] with my new name, [showing that they belong to me].

Den Sieger will ich zu einer Säule in dem Tempel meines Gottes machen, und er soll seinen Platz nie mehr verlassen. Ich will auf ihn schreiben den Namen meines Gottes und den Namen der Stadt meines Gottes, des neuen Jerusalems, das aus dem Himmel herniedersteigt von meinem Gott, und meinen neuen Namen.

13 Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

Wer Ohren hat, der höre, was der Geist den Gemeinden sagt!'

14 “Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Laodicea [city: ‘I] am saying these things [to you. I am] the one who (guarantees [everything that God’s promises/] that [he] will do [all that he has promised]) [MET]. I am the one who testifies [about God] reliably and accurately. I am the one who God used to create [everything].

Dem Engel der Gemeinde in Laodizea schreibe: / So spricht, der das Jawort ist, der treue und wahrhaftige Zeuge, der Anfang der Schöpfung Gottes:

15 I know everything that you have done: You [neither deny that you trust in me nor love/obey me zealously/wholeheartedly. You are like water that is] neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot!

'Ich kenne deine Werke: du bist weder kalt noch warm. Ach, daß du kalt oder warm wärst!

16 Because you are neither enthusiastic about me nor concerned about your lack of spiritual growth [MET], I am about to [reject] you [MET], [as if] I were spitting [lukewarm water] out of my mouth.

So aber, weil du lau bist und weder kalt noch warm, will ich dich ausspeien aus meinem Mund.

17 You are saying, “[Because we have all that we need spiritually], we are [like] rich [people who] have acquired a lot of wealth. We lack nothing!” But you do not realize that you are [lacking in so many ways spiritually that you are like] [MET] people who are very wretched and pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Du sagst: Ich bin reich, ich habe Schätze gewonnen und bedarf nichts! Und dabei weißt du nicht, daß gerade du elend bist und jämmerlich, arm, blind und bloß.

18 I advise you [to obtain from me all that you need spiritually, as though you were] buying from me gold that has been refined by fire {that fire has refined}, in order that you may be [truly] rich [MET] [spiritually. Let me make you righteous, as though you were] [MET] buying from me white garments in order that you might wear clothes instead of being naked and ashamed. [Let me help you to perceive spiritual things, as though] [MET] you were buying from me eye salve to put in your eyes in order that you might see.

Darum rate ich dir: kaufe von mir Gold, wie es geglüht aus dem Feuer kommt, damit du reich werdest, und weiße Kleider zum Anziehen, damit sich nicht die Schande deiner Blöße offenbare, und Salbe zum Bestreichen deiner Augen, damit du sehen könnest!

19 [Since] I rebuke and correct all those whom I affectionately love, earnestly stop your sinful behavior.

Alle, die ich liebhabe, die weise ich zurecht und züchtige ich. So raffe dich denn auf zu neuem Eifer und ändere deinen Sinn!

20 Be aware that [I invite each one of you to respond to me] as though [MET] I [was] standing [waiting] at [your] door and knocking. I will come to all those who hear my voice and respond to me, and I [will fellowship] with them [as friends do when they] eat together [MET].

Sieh, ich stehe vor der Tür und klopfe an. Wer meine Stimme hört und mir die Tür öffnet, bei dem will ich einkehren und das Mahl mit ihm halten, und er mit mir.

21 I will permit everyone who conquers [Satan] to sit [and rule] with me on my throne, just like I conquered [Satan] and now sit [and rule] beside my Father on his throne.

Dem Sieger will ich geben, mit mir auf meinem Thron zu sitzen, wie auch ich den Sieg errungen habe und nun mit meinem Vater auf seinem Thron sitze.

22 Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

Wer Ohren hat, der höre, was der Geist den Gemeinden sagt!'"